Wikipedia:Mediation Cabal/Cases/2007-10-22 Malayalee

Request details
We would like the mediators to resolve an issue on this page. There is one major issue currently. It revolves around the origin of the Malayalam language, and more specifically, the origin of the words malai and āzham/ālam/āli. One side says that the words originated from Malayalam, whereas the other side says that the words came from (Old) Tamil.

What's going on?
I (Vivin) started cleaning up the article a little while ago. I noticed that the introduction said that the word Malayalee came from the Malayalam words Malai and āli. I thought that was paradoxical because:


 * The region was known as Malayala before the origin of the Malayalam language.
 * There is no way that Malayalam or Malayalee could come from the Malayalam language if it didn't exist.
 * The article originally mentioned that these words came from Tamil.

I changed this and I provided references which showed these words in Tamil, and which also showed that Malayalam evolved from (a form of) Tamil. There has been intense discussion around this issue. The page has also been protected. Third party opinion has been requested on the page as well. The other two parties don't want to change their position and keep asking for references (which I have provided). They seem unable or unwilling to consider the references I have provided and keep claiming that I haven't provided any. I am not sure what else to do, so I am starting a request for mediation.

What would you like to change about that?
I'd like an amicable outcome to this issue. There's no need for this pointless revert-warring. I may be a little biased towards my opinion, but I honestly believe that I have the references and sources to prove my point. All I am asking is for information and references from their side to support their view (they haven't shown any so far). I'm requesting the Mediation Cabal to help us out. Thanks!

Mediator notes
I am willing to mediate in this matter. I am not familiar with either side and I will provide a non-bias, third-party review. I will review the article as well as comments over the next few days. I would like to review information from both sides as well. I will ask questions periodically and hopefully I can provide both sides with an acceptable solution.

--Leonmon 19:03, 31 October 2007 (UTC)


 * Hello! Sorry to ask you to close this when it has just started! :p But over the past few days we have come to a friendly conclusion to this whole issue. Thank you for your help anyway! -- vi5in [talk] 22:04, 31 October 2007 (UTC)

No problem. I was happy to help. Have a good day.

--Leonmon 16:19, 1 November 2007 (UTC)

Discussion
Discussion is going on here and here.